The winter blog

Thank you all for your kind comments at the end of the season. They were much appreciated.

It is only a week since we last saw cricket, but it has dragged, slightly modifying a Glasgow vernacular, like a baboon's bottom...

Don't get me wrong, there is plenty to keep me busy, but the lack of cricket is definitely an issue, not just for me but for many others around the country. I have spent my time tidying the garden, going to another very good show and realising that football doesn't really hold my attention now, as much as the summer game.

After a fourteen-year hiatus, I have resumed cricket and found that the walking version is hugely enjoyable, excellent exercise, a chance to make new friends and an opportunity to once again turn my arm over and play a few shots. All this without risk of being hit by a hard ball, which would not do my hands any good at all! 

If there is a group on near you I strongly recommend it. I am the third oldest in our group, but neither age nor ability are barriers to involvement and enjoyment. 

There is no news emanating from The Central Co-op County Ground, though doubtless there is plenty of work going on behind the scenes. There are those crucial overseas roles to fill and off the field a lot of work to ensure event profits, that will plough into the cricket side of the club.

My plans for the winter are to do a weekly catch up, update on any news and maybe do a feature article, which I am currently working on from a feasibility perspective. I also plan to run a competition shortly to win a cricket book or two. This will be for blog donors, so those who have kindly donated in the past six months will be in the draw once I have got everything together. If you would like to be in it, simply click on the donate button on the blog, or contact me for bank details if you prefer.

I have been following the names released by counties. One or two have surprised me and I wouldn't be surprised if Archie Lenham and Freddie Heldreich got another county for at least a white ball deal. Both have shown in bursts that they can take wickets at this level, with Lenham especially too talented and too young - at 21 - to not be worthy of another chance. 

Everyone loves a leggie in T20, because they offer that something different. The good ones around the globe are in great demand, because they can turn it both ways and especially away from the right handers. I wrote earlier in the season that Derbyshire haven't really replaced Mattie McKiernan in twenty-over cricket and I hope that we have a specialist twirler for next year's Blast. Such a player, with Matt Montgomery, would offer something different in the middle overs and make for a varied attack that is always useful. 

That's it for me, for now. Stay well and do keep commenting as you see fit.

Together we will get through this winter!